July 7 2008

9:30 am

Again sightings and sounds of Starlings is nil within 1/2 mile of the field. Saw 3 south about 1 mile.

A Rough-legged hawk was sighted on the ground in an adjacent grass field, presumably after a mouse/vole or whatever. This hawk pair seem to much more active the past few days. My guess is they are feeding young in a nest in my woods.

All 17 JacKites operational and flying. Squawker operating.

1:00 pm

Saw the hawk pair soaring the adjacent fields for prey. Saw only a couple Starlings and this by a dairy barn nearby.

6:00 pm

Moved most of the JK's to different locations - the purpose to keep changing things so Starlings do not get used to the field conditions. This took 20 minutes.

Readied applicance cardboard boxes in the field for Helikite storage during night and down time. Took 10 minutes.

Saw only one Purple Finch and one Robin in the field. Saw 10 Starlings on the telephone lines near barn near my house. Other than that, no Starlings.

8:30 pm

No Starlings near or on field. Few even in or near adjecent fields.

CS

REMEMBER: The villain is the Starling. It is not the grower.